hi ya!
i received a book to review the other day, DOODLE LIT by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver from Gibbs Smith Publishing.
i was instantly intrigued by a book dedicated to doodles; i can’t resist doodling anytime i have a pen and paper in hand.
“drawing on the classics” is noted on the cover, and that along with the “LIT” in the title clues you in as to the theme; classic literature. famous authors and characters and details from their books serve as the subject matter for each “chapter” of the book. a sample doodle from each author as well as a short bio is included as well.
each page prompts and prods your imagination to create. you get little jumping off points and the rest is up to you.
here are a few examples from the Jane Austen chapter…
among other interesting pages of Jane Austen-ish things to doodle about, you can draw your own “Pride and Prejudice” mansion complete with topiaries or design or color a ball gown for your Elizabeth Bennet paper doll.
a few of the other authors included are: William Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, Emily Bronte and Lewis Carroll.
the Tolstoy chapter has lots of fun activities like: design a pair of earrings and embellish hats, gloves and boots.
and there are seasonal trees to embellish with natural doodles in the Emily Bronte chapter.
Lewis Carroll’s chapter challenges you to make a hat for the mad hatter, make a list of rules if you were “Queen of Everything” and cut out some stylish ‘staches for a mustache party…
the William Shakespeare chapter challenges you to write and embellish {with doodles of course!} your own love letter, create an invitation to a masquerade as well as embellish a mask for the ball…
i’ve been obsessing on peacock feathers lately {blame the prom flowers} so this mask caught my eye. i decided to try out the book by coloring and doodling this mask, here is my finished masterpiece…
i added lots of added doodles to the mask…
in the introduction, the author, Jennifer Adams is quoted as saying “doodling is such a simple form of being creative. when you doodle, you usually allow yourself to do it freely – you’re not trying to make a final piece of art or worrying what someone else will think.” and illustrator Alison Oliver says “doodling can make you feel calm and relaxed. it can help you when you want to come up with an idea for a project, or it can be just for fun”.
i think most of us doodle when we are bored, on hold or thinking. we probably don’t purposely doodle. i mean, when is the last time you set down to DOODLE – not set out to create something, not pull out the art journal to work on – NO – JUST DOODLE?
i find that doodling helps free up my mind from the daily to-do list, or worries and problems, and makes it easier to access my creative side. sometimes when i can’t focus on an assignment or class project, i’ll find myself doodling on the info sheet.
i LOVE an idea of a book FULL of doodle ideas! doodling with a purpose – doodling for the sake of doodling. i can see myself pulling this book out when i need some inspiration, when i need to open my mind to creating.
i have to admit it never occurred to me that this was not a book just for adults – call me a BIG kid! LOL! it is recommended for ages 8 and up, so your kiddos will love it too. and if you want to get your really little one interested in the “classics” check out BabyLit series by the same dynamic doodling duo.
tami sanders * paper crafter 